Happy 30th Birthday Brad!!!

Tillykke Med Fødselsdagen! That's how you say Happy Birthday in Danish. And yesterday, my dear husband turned 30. What's happening to us? We're getting old!

So how do you celebrate turning 30 in a foreign country ...... you go to a monster truck show of course! Well actually, our decision to go had nothing to do with the fact that it was Brad's birthday, but we thought Broderick would enjoy it.



Watching the monster truck crush some cars.








Daddy and Broderick checking out the big trucks.






The amazing thing about the show was that we were like 5 feet from these trucks at times, and there was no rail or safety feature in front of us. It was a bit scary at times. It was a cultural experience if nothing else to see something like this in our small town here.


Brad's favorite treat from back home is chicken lips from the restaurant Martinis in our home town. He misses them and often laments that he doesn't get them here.

So, I attempted to make the home made version for his birthday. He was pretty excited.














Broderick made daddy a card and gave him bubbles. (I'm sure Brad was thrilled.)

Daddy and his 2 kids. What more could a guy want on his birthday?

Tonight, we were able to get a babysitter and went to eat at Azzuro, our favorite Italian restaurant in Aalborg.

Anika slept the entire time, so it was almost like having a date with no children.


Oh, and I thought I would include a picture of Anika being weighed by our home nurse. She wraps her up in a big cloth diaper and hangs her from a scale. Anika is not a fan of this and screams during the process. She has gained 1 kilogram so far. Wow - they grow so fast.













My brother Eric and his wife had a baby boy yesterday, John Paul. She needed a c-section since the baby flipped to a breech position. What a lucky little boy to share a birthday with Brad. So thankful that everyone is healthy and well.


Happy Birthday Brad! We hope you had a great 30th. You are a great father and a wonderful husband. Thanks for all that you do for us. God has blessed us by putting you in our lives! We love you so much! Love, Megan, Broderick, and Anika

Anika is 1 month!

Anika Mae is 1 month old already, well actually more like 5 weeks now. She went to the doctor last week for her check-up. She's already gained 600 grams (that's more than 1 pound) and 6 cm, (that's more than 2 inches). I can't believe how fast they change. She's still a good little girl, but she likes to be held, all the time. That's fine, until I need to take care of Broderick or get something done.


Look at me in my summer outfit.













I had to include one of the big brother. He's starting to really like Anika and takes good care of her. (When he feels like it).










I'm getting to be a big girl.









Wearing my first pair of jeans.















Brad's birthday is this week, so to help celebrate, his friend Chad came over to spend some with him. Brad doesn't get homesick very often, but he misses hanging out with his buddies back home. We were sad his wife and daughter didn't make the trip with him.



Chad meeting Anika at the airport.












Brad bought a grill, so Chad helped assemble it and we were able to grill that night. Yum!





Eating lunch.








One day he picked Brods up from dagpleje with my bike.
Chad tried pickled herring while he was here, a very traditional Scandinavian treat. I don't think he was a big fan. =)












Brad and Chad in Aalborg.








We had beautiful weather while Chad was here. It was sunny and reached the 70s. We were able to spend some of Saturday at the beach. The North Sea is beautiful (but usually a little windy).



Broderick playing golf.






Broderick was enjoying hitting his golf ball around and there wasn't many people there, so it wasn't a problem. Until ... he hit his ball under a couples car and then proceeded to start hitting their car with his golf club. Now its only plastic, but still !!!! The man yelled at Brad in Danish, "Can't you just control your kid?" At that point in time, Brad packed us up and it was time to leave. It was fun while it lasted.


Enjoying a picnic on the beach.









Broderick enjoyed running down the sanddunes.


We took Chad to Jerry's, an American restaurant on the eastern coast.


At our local hangout, Barbados




Dropping Broderick off at dagpleje before heading to the airport. When I told Broderick that Chad was leaving he said, "but I'm gonna miss him!" He's always sad when guests leave.




Thanks for coming Chad. It was fun to see you again. Now I need to go shopping, I'm out of food and need to get groceries.

This is a video of Broderick running down the sand dune. He thought it was pretty cool.

When Daddy's away, the kids play ...

Brad flew back to Iowa on Saturday afternoon, so I tried to stay busy the few days he's been gone so we wouldn't miss him quite as much.




Mommy and Anika at the playground.











Down the street from our neighborhood, they were having some sort of tractor show/pull/fair. We are not sure exactly what it was, but Jorgen and Kirstine came over that afternoon and played with Broderick and we walked to this show. Broderick was excited to see the tractors.















It was fun, but very dirty and loud, so after a little bit, we went back home and Broderick kept Jorgen busy playing the rest of the afternoon.

On Sunday, we went to the Aalborg Zoo. Broderick has been wanting to go for a long time. I wasn't sure how it would go with two little ones, but Anika slept in the stroller and Broderick was excellent.


Looking at the elephants.














Petting the goats.

Broderick and Anika getting ready to leave.

Tonight we went to our neighbors for dinner, so each day we have been able to do something to keep busy. We are looking forward to seeing Brad tomorrow and his friend, Chad, is coming back with him for a short visit.

We were praying for Brad and his family while he was gone. They said that there was so much love and support shown to them, so thankyou to all who have been there for them.

Time for bed here in Denmark ... if the little one is sleeping, then its time to sleep. =)

Goodbye to Grandma!

Early this morning, Brad's Grandma Schmidgall went to meet Jesus. Her children and husband were there and it was peaceful. While it is obviously sad to lose a grandparent, it is a blessing for Grandma as her quality of life has not been very good. She has been living with Alzheimer's for several years.

This is the first grandparent that Brad or I have lost. All of our grandparents have been living, so Broderick has had 12 grandparents. I think he likes having so many mamas and bop-pops. Grandma was one of the nicest people I have ever met, always so sweet and selfless. I'm sad that Anika will never get the opportunity to meet her.














Broderick was able to meet her when we would visit her at the nursing home. There's Rose in the background.













Great Grandpa and Grandma with Broderick. Grandpa would visit her and feed her almost every day.





Grandpa Hartzell and Grandma Marian.










Brad leaves tomorrow to go to the visitation and funeral. I did not think it was a possibility for us to go, but we got Anika's passport in the mail today! I thought it was a sign that I was to go too. I was excited to be able to go with Brad so I wouldn't have to be alone, but also I was excited for people to meet Anika. Brad quickly vetoed the idea as the thought of traveling with 2 little ones for such a short period of time was crazy. Maybe he is right. =) We'll miss him while he's gone, but am happy that he's able to go and be with his family.













Broderick giving some love to Anika. "I love my baby sister."

Easter

We have enjoyed having Brad's parents here and were happy that we were able to celebrate Easter with family. Holidays don't feel like holidays when you're away from friends and family. We are so thankful for Christ's ultimate gift in his death on the cross and that he arose from the grave.







Anika posing in her crib.








Having someone here to help with the kids allowed Brad and I to take a long bike ride. He rides everyday to work, so he is in better shape than me. My butt was so sore!!!!



Ron and Jane Easter Morning.










Easter Morning


The kids with their Easter baskets.







We actually gave them their Easter baskets Saturday morning and then had Broderick search for eggs. He would find one, then shake it to make sure there was candy inside, then he would have to empty it before moving on to the next one.

We went to church Easter morning and then went out for a nice lunch.






Anika in her Easter Dress.











This dress is one I wore to my Aunt and Uncles wedding when I was a baby. How neat that Anika is able to wear it now.












Broderick had mama and bop-pop read him a lot of books while they were here.






Anika getting ready for bed.




Giving Daddy kisses.
We've been able to take a lot of walks lately with the weather. Broderick has a little attachment that he stands on.

Ron and Jane were supposed to leave Thursday, unfortunately Brad's grandma (Ron's mom) isn't doing well and they think she may have only days left. So, they were able to switch their tickets to today and hopefully will be home in time to spend some time with her and say good-bye. We're praying that she is comfortable and peaceful. Brad would like to go home, but we cannot leave the country until we have Anika's passport. So if Brad does go, he would go alone.

A Busy Week!

Anika - almost 2 weeks old in this picture.

This last week has been a full one, so I'll try to bring you up to date on all of our happenings. Anika has been a good little girl so far. Tonight she had a crying spell for 10-15 minutes and that is the first time she has been like that. We are really enjoying her.













Last week, a great surprise came in the mail from my sister Stacia. She sent clothes from her girls that are adorable and will be a great help. She also included some other goodies, like Girl Scout Cookies. Yummy!!!!


Then last Friday, Brad's parents arrived. Here they are at the airport meeting Anika for the first time. Broderick was very excited to see them.









They brought a suitcase of gifts from back home, so it was a little like Christmas for us. There were even things for Broderick. Thank you so much everyone who sent things. We have the best family and friends.


Jane, my mom-in-law, made the most precious quilt for Anika. I love it!







Here's most of the gifts.







The first Saturday they were here was supposed to be beautiful (in the 60s), so we were going to go to the beach and then also up to Skagen which is the most northern part of Denmark and its where the North Sea and part of the Baltic Sea meet.


Grandpa and Broderick at the beach.










Walking in Løkken.







Grandma and Broderick in Skagen. Unfortunately, the weather turned really cold and breezy in Skagen, so we didn't stay there long. Note Broderick's cool sunglasses that his cousins sent him.

On Sunday, we went to church together. That afternoon, Brad and I left for Copenhagen with Anika.

Anika's first plane trip at 2 weeks old. She slept through the entire thing.









Sleeping in our hotel room.






At the embassey










We were a bit disappointed in our embassey. All the other embasseys were these beautiful old buildings. America's looked like an office building from the 1970's. The security is very tight there. Taxis aren't allowed to pull up in front of it. You basically have to leave almost everything with the gaurds while you're inside too. Even my insulin pump had to be taken off and given to the gaurds. But, everything went smoothly inside. So, Anika is now registered as an American citizen and hopefully we'll get her passport soon.


Brad and Anika in front of Radhuspladsen.














In our hotel lobby.

Grandpa and Grandma took good care of Broderick while we were away. Here they are relaxing in our back yard.

Grandpa and Broderick playing frisbee.













They took a walk to the park.













Broderick eating cereal in the morning, looking at the boxes.









That's her quilt her Grandma made behind her.










Ron went to work with Brad a couple of days. Broderick of course had to take Grandma to Jumboland.










We were able to eat outside tonight, the weather has been so nice.






Today we went to a forest about 40 minutes south of us that has a part that is 300-400 years old. Roldskov Forest is the name of it and supposedly there are trolls that live there.


It is full of gnarly old green trees.It was pretty cool.








Ron and Broderick both needed walking sticks.





Hiking along. Broderick did so good. And walked the whole time without complaining. Anika slept the whole time in the baby carrier.












Our little boy!













Brad has a 5 day weekend because of Easter. We're not sure what else we'll do, but I'm sure we'll have fun. Its been nice having family here and so glad they get the chance to meet Anika and spend some time with Broderick. Its hard not seeing family, but even harder not having your kids see family. So I'm so thankful that Broderick gets this time with his grandparents.